An old wooden chest lies buried in the mud. Who will unlock its secret? The Painted Chest is a story of hope, inspiration and the uniquely transformative power of music and art. It is for all those who truly believe that we cannot live by bread alone, and that the creation of "food for the soul and spirit" can only enhance and enrich our lives. The inhabitants of a small farming community are haunted by the memory of a famine long past. Each day they clear, plant, and harvest the land, leaving little time for anything else. Without play or the joy of creation, their lives have become sombre and colorless. One day, however, a young girl decides to act. Inspired by the dreams that will not leave her, and drawn by the discovery of a magical link to the past, Maddie changes her own life and the lives of everyone around her.